Bristol Rovers boss predicts this Sunderland man for a big future

The 20-year-old was Chris Coleman’s first signing of the month and is highly-rated, having been part of the England U-20 squad which won the world cup last summer.

Clarke-Slater is on loan at the Black Cats from Chelsea till the end of the season and will be expected to feature heavily in the clubs back three for the second half of the season as the struggling club looks to avoid relegation from the Championship.

The centre-back spent last season on loan with Bristol Rovers and went on to make 12 appearances under Clarke before having his spell interrupted by a broken arm.

“Jake is a fantastic character. He came in on loan to gain some experience and him and Charlie Colkett came at the same time from Chelsea,” Clarke told the Echo.

“Jake is a very gifted, technical centre half. Obviously there are areas of his game he could improve on, showing a bit more strength at times perhaps, but he acquitted himself superbly in League One for us.

“Unfortunately he was playing really well and then broke his arm. “He missed a chunk of games but came back at the back end of the season and did very well for us. “Jake is more than capable of making the step up to the Championship.”